ASHEBORO, N.C. -- A 3-year-old girl is in the hospital after she was shot Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, another 3-year-old shot the girl in an Asheboro home on Cameron Circle.

A woman at the home told deputies she was cleaning when she heard a gunshot come from a room where three children were playing. Investigators say the kids were alone in the room when the girl was shot.

The bullet went through the girl's arm and into her abdominal area.

Deputies say the woman watching the kids was the mother of one of the children. They say her boyfriend was the parent of the other two, including the 3-year-old girl who was shot.

The sheriff's office said when the girl was taken to the hospital, she was alert. At last check, she is still being treated.

Prosecutors charged William Monroe Simmons and Melisa Ann Mumpower each with Failing to Store Firearm to Protect Minor, Felony Child Abuse and three counts of Misdemeanor Child Abuse.

Deputies say the child abuse charges stemmed from the children's living conditions.

Officers arrested Simmons and Mumpwer at the hospital. They are each in jail. A magistrate set Simmons' bond at $35,500; Mompower's at $6,300.

Randolph County DSS has opened their own investigation while sheriff's deputies continue to investigate.

Deputies say it was an accident, but neighbors want to know -- how did a toddler get a hold of a loaded gun?

"You should have them locked up or in a safe place they cannot get to it," said Joan Palacios.

"They are going to pick up anything they think they can play with - that's what happened," she explained.

Palacios lives just a couple of houses down from where the shooting occurred. Monica Escoto's family lives right next door.

"I see them a lot playing around," said Escoto.

But instead of kids playing in the yard Tuesday afternoon, she saw deputies.

"They're just innocent. They just don't know what they're doing. You know they're playing around and probably think it's a toy," said Escoto.

"I'm just hoping that little 3-year-old is going to be okay. I hate that it happened but maybe it will make them wiser about guns around children," said Palacios.